Author Archives: Olivia

The Strokes.

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My love for The Strokes started when everyone else’s did, in 2001. I remember first hearing Someday and wishing I was a teenager in New York rather than the Isle Of Man. Being a teenager in Grimsby would’ve been better than the Isle Of Man, anyway- moving on.

Their debut album, Is This It did something to me that has lasted 10 years. It has been an album I go to when everything seems a bit shit. The frustration I hear in Julian’s voice and the lyrics means so much to me. As a result, I have Is This It tattooed on my wrist. I know it sounds oh so morbid, but maybe it’s just my sick sense of humour coming through.

Many websites and magazines have constantly said how important Is This It is, ignored Room On Fire and just destroyed First Impressions Of Earth.

It’s about time this is put right.

I’ll start with First Impressions. Basically, it pisses me off and wounds me when people just dismiss it. Have you not listened to Juicebox? Have you ignored the beautiful lyrics of Evening Sun? What about Razorblade? Seriously, it is an amazing album. If you hate it, I doubt my words will make you change your view. Try and give it one more listen before you dismiss it and you will see just how wonderful it is.

Room On Fire. Overlooked slightly I feel. The End Has No End, Between Love & Hate, Meet Me In The Bathroom- why isn’t this album held up as high as Is This It?

All of their albums, including Angles have that mind blowing raw, aggressive New York sound. Many have tried to copy it, but they cannot master it. The Strokes have, with every single album.

Jules’ voice is everything I want in a singer. He just sings every word with frustration and a lot of feeling- yet at the same time, just makes it look like he doesn’t give a shit. Yet you know he does. On The Other Side is one of my favourites, “I hate them all.I hate myself, for hating them. So I’ll drink some more. I love them all. I’ll drink even more. I’ll hate them even more than I did before.” The sheer disappointment in his voice here, that seems directed at himself, well- it is something we can all relate to. That’s why I love First Impressions Of Earth so much. Out of all 4 albums, this one just pours out with disappointment and frustration.

Each band member just makes everything they do look so effortless and natural but at the same time you can see how much they love what they are doing. Everything about them is easy to relate to. A lot prefer to hold musicians away from reality, but I think it’s good to feel like you can relate to them. In a way, it just makes you feel less alone.

You get bands such as The Smiths, Velvet Underground, Ramones, My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus & Mary Chain etc who just change everything in music. They are rare and so many try to copy them over and over, but there will never be anyone quite like them again. I feel The Strokes fall into a list of bands just like that. There will never be another band like The Strokes.

Their solo projects made me think, “this cannot be the end” cue a few panic attacks, but their solo projects were stunning. All of them. Then a week ago, we were finally blessed with Angles. No it isn’t like Is This It. You know why? Because that was 10 years ago. They’ve grown up, got married, and had children- they’ve changed. If you fell in love with them 10 years ago like I did, then nothing in the world is going to stop you from loving them now.

The Strokes to me are what The Smiths and Garbage are to me. My crutch. They are the three bands I go to when everything is wrong, besides it’s a lot better than bothering a friend. I love a lot of bands and different kinds of music, but there is something about The Strokes that just have everything I want. It’s like finding your dream home in the perfect location. That’s right, music means more to me than where I live (to an extent…I don’t want to live in a cardboard box!)

If/when they split up, I have no idea what I will do- I’m just thankful I’ve had a band like The Strokes to be everything I want and more.

James Blake.

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James Blake has caused me to appreciate a side of music that I ignored for a while. I’ve always paid close attention to lyrics. Lyrics are important to me. I find other people’s words fascinating- mainly because my own can be quite invalid. Hearing how another says a certain word to make it have more meaning than it used to, well, it impresses me.

However, along comes James Blake and all I can hear is layers and layers of amazing sounds that cause me to feel something strange. I’m not entirely sure if I’m going to be able to word this successfully, but I’m going to try.

 

The sounds are haunting. The way his voice echoes over the music causes your body to just freeze and you think “BLOODY HELL!” Obviously language may be slightly more vulgar, but you know what I mean (my mum may read this and I don’t want to swear too much!)

When I first heard Tell Her Safe it felt like I could believe in new music again. I played it over and over for weeks but there was nobody I knew I could share it with because well, nobody would care. So I kept it to myself, as usual. Everything about him is quite indescribable; no words can express what his music does to you. It just elevates your soul and nothing around you actually matters. All that matters is this piece of music that James Blake has created.

 

I have mixed feelings about seeing him live. Whilst I am fully aware it’d be a glorious experience, I like the feeling of escaping listening to his music in the dark through headphones drifting in and out of sleep. I think if I fell asleep at a gig (again) it’d be frowned upon. It’s an internal battle that I’ll have until I decide to see him.

 

Limit To Your Love is a lovely cover; however one cover that surpasses this is A Case Of You, originally by the wonderful Joni Mitchell. It’s just gorgeous. There is something about it that reminds me of Antony & The Johnsons. I’m probably alone in this, as usual. However comparing this cover to Antony & The Johnsons means it is THAT mind blowing. I’m not a fan of Feist, so when I heard he had covered one of his songs part of me didn’t want to know, but it works. I’m not exactly the world’s biggest fan of covers, yet there are a select few that eclipse the original.

 

What Was It You Said About Luck is my favourite (for now…it will change, it always does.) a vulnerable voice over a keyboard is something that you cannot fault, ever. Unless the singer is shite, obviously!

 

Just because James Blake did not win BBC’s Sound Of 2011 doesn’t mean you should ignore him- or the others that didn’t win. Just because the winner is thrown at you constantly, doesn’t mean it is good (I’m not slagging off Jessie J, she can sing- I’m just not a fan of her songs) but seriously- give James Blake your attention. Buy his album, turn off the lights, listen closely and allow the music to take you somewhere. Somewhere better.

 

 

The Kills- Blood Pressures.

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This may or may not be a biased review of The Kills’ new album, only because they are one of my favourite bands ever. Their 3 albums (No Wow, Keep On Your Mean Side and Midnight Boom) are works of genius. Maybe I’m in the minority that feel that way- aside from fellow fans of The Kills.

 

In 2008, Midnight Boom was my favourite album of the year. In 2011, Blood Pressures became my favourite album of the year.

The Kills are a band that you cannot help but admire. I don’t think I could trust anyone who couldn’t see the beauty and genius in Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince. They make so much noise for two people. They’ve proven over and over that you do not need to have 5 people in a group to create something so utterly fascinating.

The Kills do have a significant sound. It sounds violent, dirty, passionate and raw. For me, that makes a band. If they can create something that sounds like a brawl, then I will probably love them.

 

A lot of fans have said that Blood Pressures is The Kills going back to the sound of No Wow and Keep On Your Mean Side. To an extent, maybe this is true. I just see it as progression. To me, it sounds like a bigger version of Midnight Boom. The Kills create music that makes you want to either beat someone up or tear your clothes off, and someone else’s. I’m sure this says more about me than them by saying this, I don’t care. I just love the bones of this band. Everything about them is all I want in a band. They just ooze purity.

 

The album starts with Future Starts Slow which is like a massive kick in the face. It’s big, it’s brutal. The album is so bloody fearless and vulnerable. “But I’ll never give you up .If I ever give you up my heart will surely fail.” That’s one of my favourite lines from the album. The way Jamie and Alison have a way to just deliver the most heartbreaking line over the most aggressive sound is mind blowing. From the start, you just know that this album is going to own every part of you.

Personally, my favourite track off the album is The Last Goodbye. When The Kills do slow songs, they do them extremely well and in a way that just tugs at your heartstrings. The song sounds almost like a hymn, just the way Alison sings such personal, heart-felt lyrics is enough to make the strongest person get teary eyed. The line, “How can I rely on my heart if I break it with my own two hands?” Is so painfully true and it hits you in the gut. You really feel her pain in this song. That line is easily my favourite from the album. The sheer honesty is, well, there are no words. You have to hear it for yourself. I can only imagine how beautiful yet hurtful this will be live.

 

I could easily go into depth about each song on this album, but it’d bore you to death. Just trust me that you need this album in your life. It makes me want to drive off somewhere, except I can’t drive so I suppose I’ll have to make do with going on a train. It’s got a road trip feel to it; a lot of their songs give off that vibe.

Also, go see them on tour in May. It is the most intense thing you will ever see. You will be in awe of Alison and Jamie’s chemistry. You’ll go home wishing you had someone with that kind of connection with, it’s astounding.

 

Maybe this review is biased, but it isn’t wrong. From start to finish Blood Pressures has you in some kind of trance and when it ends- you just press play again, and again.

2011.

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These are some artists who I hope to be big in 2011.

Anna Calvi- for the past 2 and a bit years I’ve been in love with her music. I hope this year people start paying attention.

The Vaccines

Tribes

Clare Maguire

Starsmith

CocknBullKid

Esben And The Witch- Like Anna Calvi, I’ve been into these guys for a long time…please 2011..make them massive!

Doll & The Kicks- I’m not going to ever stop promoting this band. They need to be signed. They’re the hardest working band I’ve ever heard of. They just need YOU to listen to them and support them.

Is Tropical

Foreign Office.

Spark

Katy B

There. That’s my list. Go listen to them. Spread the word.

My Singles Of 2010.

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Again, in no order aside from the last track.

Marina And The Diamonds- Shampain- I would have picked Oh No! due to my love for the lyrics. However, I have gone with Shampain as it reminds me of roadtrips to Manchester with my friends and singing a long very loudly, providing amusement for other drivers. Then again..Oh No! reminds me of dancing to it and reciting some of Marina’s moves in the video.

Zola Jesus-Night– So bloody eerie and mind blowing. The album is stunning. This song is just fucking out of this world. The intro just..I don’t know, the song leaves you paralysed- unable to move- in awe of what you’ve just heard.

New Young Pony Club- Lost A Girl- Sounds very 80s- but they do it in a good, credible way. It isn’t ripping anyone off nor are they copying any other 80s band.

Ou Est Le Swimming Pool- The Key- This band are mine and my best friend’s band. When we heard about Charlie we were inconsolable for ages. We went to Chazzstock in London and it was so moving. So sad. OELSP will always be one of my favourite bands, and luckily I saw them live. I have no idea what they’ll do now..it’s just a shame.

The Vaccines- Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)- They also played at Chazzstock and were joined by Faris and Tom from The Horrors. Yes, I had a massive fit of excitement during that. This song is the shortest song performed on Jools Holland- FACT! It is also one of the best songs of this year. I hope they’re massive in 2011.

CocknBullKid- Hold Onto Your Misery- Everyone knows how much I adore Anita Blay. She’s amazing. Her album is FINALLY out in February. I’m aware it’ll be one of my favourites of 2011.

Florence & The Machine- Cosmic Love- I know Lungs came out last year, but this single was released this year..so I can list it :p My love for Flo is massive and..yeah, you know. She’s THE ONE isn’t she. This is my favourite Flo song. Live is just tears me apart. I cannot describe it.

Ellie Goulding- Guns And Horses- I loved the demo of this, and I’m sure the video cured me of my phobia of horses slightly. I say it’s a phobia- I just really dislike horses. I could’ve listed Starry Eyed but I only like it when it’s done live. Under The Sheets was last year so…I’m going with Guns And Horses. She looks beautiful (as ever) in the video.

Warpaint- Undertow- This song lyrically blew my mind. Did you see them do this acoustic on BBC3 during Reading/Leeds Festival? That was something. Stella drumming on a box. How many would do that, and do iut well? This band were the best band of 2010. I love Jenny’s bass playing on this, it’s so relaxed. Theresa kills the guitar and Emily’s vocals are stunning. Stella is the best drummer around. Easily. And Undertow shows exactly why.

SONG OF THE YEAR.

Foals- Spanish Sahara- The build up in this song is beautiful. Yannis’ voice on this song is gorgeous. The lyrics are stunning. It lasts just over 6 minutes, perfect to play on repeat when on a long train journey.

My Albums Of 2010.

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Attempting to put this down to 10 is going to be frustrating, and I will want to constantly change my mind. THIS IS IN NO ORDER. Apart from the last album I mention, that’s my favourite of the year.

Marina And The Diamonds- The Family Jewels.- This album means the world to me. Especially the song, Guilty which I was lucky enough to tell her this on the 31st October. Marina is amazing live. How she is with her fans is just lovely. She spent about 45 minutes with us. Just a lovely person. I don’t think this album got the recognition it fully deserved.  I remember first hearing about her well over a year and a half ago and just being in awe of her. Favourite track : Guilty.

Ellie Goulding- Lights/Bright Lights- I’ve mentioned Lights and Bright Lights because the extra tracks on Bright Lights are brilliant. She has to release Animal. The drum breakdown is mental. I love the production on this. Her and Starsmith are incredible. Her live shows are insane. I saw her play Academy 3 then 2 then 1 in Manchester…watching her gorw- you can see the transformation in her when she performs. During Your Biggest Mistake she just goes crazy. Not to mention her drumming during Salt Skin and Starry Eyed. I was a massive fan of Ellie before she got signed, like with Florence and to see her go from being a girl with a guitar with no record deal to a household name just made me feel so proud. A lovely person who I was lucky to meet at the start of the year. She’s just amazing. Favourite album track : from Lights : Salt Skin. from Bright Lights: Believe Me.

New Young Pony Club- The Optimist- Highly underrated. This album was amazing. Much better than their debut. The lyrics, the production- everything just sounded bigger yet darker. I love how dark the album sounds. Perfect from start to finish. Favourite album track: Chaos.

The Drums-The Drums– I love how they captured the dark lyrics over lively music. I love everything about this band. The way Johnny moves on stage reminds you of Morrissey mixed with Ian Curtis. Favourite album track : Down By The Water.

Mystery Jets-Serotonin- This year after  waiting so long to see them live, I finally did. I can safely say watching Flakes live was one of my favourite things about 2010. Stunning.  Making Dens and Twenty One are remarkable albums. Serotonin is just as stunning. Mystery Jets are one of the best UK bands around. Easily. Favourite album track : Alice Springs.

Best Coast-Crazy For You- For me, this album was the sound of the summer. Boyfriend was constantly on BBC 6Music, hearing it just made the day better. Anyone who owns or heard this album knows how speciual it is. It’s just got that summer vibe through and through. Favourite album track : The End.

Zola Jesus-Stridulum II- Haunting, sad, dark, remarkable. I fell in love instantly with this album. Everything about it is evberything I love about music. The lyrics made you want to break down and cry- but you couldn’t cry because you were in awe of how stunning this album is. When I bought his album, I played it whilst cooking and as I was giving my attention to the album- I nearly burnt myself. That’s how good it is. It requires all your attention. If you don’t own it- please go out and buy it. Favourite album track – I Can’t Stand.

Lightspeed Champion- Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You- Massvie fan of Dev and all he does. Whether it is as Lightspeed Champion or Blood Orange. He’s a musical genius. This album, along with a few this year, just did not get the recognition they fully deserve. Favourite album track- Faculty Of Fears.

Foals- Total Life Forever- VERY nearly was my album of the year- but most lists have claimed it to be the best album. By a UK band, yes it is. It’s an amazing album. Like all the albums I have listed- it catapulted me into a different world. Total Life Forever is sheer brilliance. I loved playing this album whilst on the train to work every day. It’s an album that I know I will listen in 10 years time and feel the same way about it as I did the first time I heard it. Favourite album track – After Glow.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR :

Warpaint-The Fool- When I first heard Undertow I knew that Warpaint would be putting out some of the best music of 2010. Their EP Exquisite Corpse (brilliantly titled) just left you wanting more. A year later and The Fool was released. I still want more. They were a pleasure to interview, probably my favourite band I’ve interviewed. They love what they do and they love each other. You can tell that music is their everything. They’re not in it to make money. They do it because music is that important to them. I remember listening to the album online (streaming not illegally downloaded) because as hard as I tried, I couldn’t wait a week to buy it knowing I could listen to it. The album broke my heart, made me happy, threw me into a different place. It did everything an album should do. I adore Warpaint, and have done for some time- so to see them become massive this year was amazing. Favourite album track – Majesty

Mystery Jets. 5th November 2010. HMV Institute, Birmingham.

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A cold, wet Friday night in Birmingham is about to turn into one of the greatest nights ever.The Library (formerly The Barfly) holds around 600. Mystery Jets could easily sell out the main room, but the intimacy of this venue is what made tonight extra special.

The support act for this evening, Is Tropical blew my mind. I was positive that Tribes were supporting who are easily one of my favourite bands of the year. Is Tropical have been a band I have loved from the start, and I was in total shock that they were supporting Mystery Jets. Their set is short but brilliant. Most people didn’t know how to react to Is Tropical, possibly due to them wearing masks covering their mouth, personally- I liked it. I hope 2011 is amazing for them as this year has been.

Mystery Jets take to the stage and all hell breaks loose. Bodies pushed forward, drinks thrown- but who cares? One of the countries best bands are about to play one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to.

They opened with Alice Springs which is howled back by the crowd. No songs are sadly played off their début, Making Dens. Their half and a half set cannot be faulted in any way at all. In fact, I will go as far to say as it was close to perfection. They even play After Dark which is by The Count and Sinden which features Mystery Jets.

They played half of Twenty One and half of new album, Serotonin. Obviously it is tracks such as Two Doors Down, Young Love and Half In Love With Elizabeth that cause a riot. I’ve never seen a crowd react so mentally towards a band, but quite rightly so. Every single song is sung back by us all, however there is one song in particular that is sung louder than the rest. As the band came back on stage for the encore, Kai carries William on his shoulders, the playful atmosphere surrounded the stage all night. There is one song by Mystery Jets that could melt the coldest of hearts, that could make the strongest person in the world cry. This song of course is, Flakes. This is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, as beautiful as it is- it is also heartbreaking. The lyrics hit you in the gut, it is truly one of the most stunning songs ever written. Witnessing it live makes the song mean much more to me. I honestly thought I’d have some emotional outburst seeing this live, instead I just sang my heart out with everybody else.

Singer, Blaine Harrison is an inspiration. Blaine has Spina Bifida, making it difficult for him to get about. Yet he plays on stage most nights. He doesn’t let this stop him from doing something he loves, which puts everything into perspective. People are quick to complain about the little things in life- but seeing Blaine do something he loves, and being part of one of the countries best band is amazing. The band leave you in awe. You cannot find any fault in their live shows. Some bands aren’t as good live as they are on record. Mystery Jets are perfect both live and on record. The way they play on stage is like a family- it doesn’t seem like a job or a chore. The way they look at each other and perform on stage is projected onto the crowd. The love they have for each other and their fans is reciprocated.

Of all the gigs I have been to this year, this is easily one of the best. Although the crowd was full of drunken stumbling folk- everybody had a brilliant time which is all you can ask for.

Ellie Goulding. 3rd November 2010. Manchester Academy 1.

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The first time I saw Ellie live she played to around 200 people. Then it was to about 600. Tonight it was a few thousand. This was easily one of the most emotional gigs that I have ever been to, making it worth queuing in the rain for and risking pneumonia- or a cold.

 

The lights dimmed and her band took to the stage. Cue insane drumming, flashing lights and a couple thousand people going mental at the sight of Ellie next to her drummer, Joe. Her gigs used to be just her, Joe and Starsmith. Now she has a light show and backup singers. Thank goodness she dropped out of university to pursue her music career. Opening with Under The Sheets, her energy immediately projected onto the crowd.

On record, you’d imagine Ellie to be quite reserved on stage- this is not the case. The passion in her performance leaves you in awe. Every word that she sings, you can feel how personal it is for her. You can’t help but feel what she is feeling too, and that makes a truly great artist.

At the end of every song she thanks the crowd, the shock on her face as she is greeted by declarations of love and screams is astounding. So talented yet so humble.

It isn’t just Ellie who plays with such determination and passion on stage. Her band are incredible. Chris, Max and Joe are greeted with ecstatic cheers from the crowd as Ellie introduces them to the crowd. What made the gig special is that it was Max’s birthday.

 

Most of her début album, Lights is played. She has recently added a very old song, The End into her set which is just her and her guitar. The acoustic section of the set includes Wish I Stayed and a cover of Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap which caused a lot of us to cry. The purity in her voice when she sings this is stunning. Sweet Disposition is a gorgeous song anyway, but Ellie’s take on it has something about it that causes you to not sing a long but to just stare in awe at her, taking it all in. I could quite happily watch her sing acoustically for an hour and a half, and I’m sure everybody else felt the same. Although, there wouldn’t be a dry eye in the venue.

 

On the projector screen, a short video was shown of Ellie talking about how insane the past year has been for her. Going from playing venues where 10 people watched her to thousands singing every word back to her must be one of the greatest feelings a musician can experience. Watching her grow as a performer, and seeing how humbled she is by all of that has happened in the past year for her is inspiring. If her début album can create this, then who knows what will happen with her future work.

Although most of those on the front row were wailing 14 year old, her lyrics clearly mean a lot to them- and those older of course. From the way she stomps her feet on the ground during Your Biggest Mistake to the fragility in her voice during The Writer, the way she performs on stage is powerful. Especially when she takes to the drums, it just causes the crowd to lose it slightly.

 

The encore consisted of a brand new song, Human which she again worked with Starsmith and Starry Eyed. Human may possibly be her next release, although nothing has been confirmed yet. Even if it isn’t, it is a bloody good track. Obviously Starry Eyed caused everybody to go mental at the end of the gig.

The gig was so good that I may have got carried away and drummed on the barrier at the front, my hand is stupidly swollen and bruised. I do not learn. Anyway, you’ve not had a good time at a gig unless you’re a bit injured.

 

Every time I have seen Ellie live she just gets better and better. She wrote on Twitter after the gig that this was the best crowd she has played to. Out of all the gigs I’ve been to, I don’t think I have seen a reaction quite like this. There is something captivating about Ellie Goulding that just instantly draws you in, and it’s quite unexplainable- you just have to see it for yourself.

 

Marina And The Diamonds. 31st October. The Ritz, Manchester.

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As the lights dim, Marina’s band take to the stage. The stage is decorated in cobwebs and skeletons. She glides onto the stage greeted by her Diamonds (her fans) screaming. Opening with The Family Jewels then straight into The Outsider, Marina owns the stage. After waiting what seemed forever for this night, it fast became one of the best gigs I’ve ever been to.

 

Many critics have labelled her as “the new Kate Bush” and I suppose in some parts her voice is slightly like Kate’s- but Marina is nothing like anyone around now, or before. She doesn’t need to parade on the stage half clothed for anyone to pay her attention. The way she carries herself on stage is exactly how someone who’s career that has lasted decades would carry themselves. Every track off The Family Jewels was played alongside two old tracks, Seventeen and Jealousy. She declared her début album to be dead, “R.I.P. The Family Jewels!” She said she is finished promoting this record and has taken it as far as it can go. Her album is easily one of the best albums of the year and whilst it is sad that it’s her last UK tour for a while, I am sure her second album will be just as stunning.

 

 

As an artist, Marina has truly grown. Her live performances now involve costume changes and a brilliant light show. As it is Halloween, it was only right that Marina was dressed up. The night before in Dublin she drank 8 double Jameson which she announced, “R.I.P. Jameson” on stage telling us before she got to Manchester she was throwing up fluorescent sick. Lovely. With it being Halloween, it wasn’t The Family Jewels- it was The Family Ghouls. The Burger Queen tour became The Murder Queen tour, and of course it wasn’t Marina And The Diamonds. It was Marina And The Demons. Her face resembled a zombie, I’m sure she felt like one too after the night she had in Dublin.

Obsessions and Numb were played with just Marina on the piano, which was mind blowing. She had everyone in silence just watching her in awe. She ended her set with Hollywood wearing the most amazing sparkly American flag styled trousers. Only Marina could get away with this. Personally, Guilty was my favourite song of the night. It’s my favourite track off the album and to be able to see it live, finally was worth it.

 

A lot of artists claim they never thought they would make it. Marina however, knew differently. “I always knew I’d make it.” The self belief Marina has projects onto the crowd making them feel 100% part of this and that they too, can make it. It is artists like Marina that need your attention. Her music is vulnerable, hard hitting, happy and sad. Every emotion that you could possibly feel was felt tonight at the gig

 

I thought the night could not get any better. I was wrong. So very wrong. Around half an hour after the gig, a barrier was placed around were myself and fellow Diamonds, lo and behold- Marina walks out and greets us all. “Why is the barrier here? We don’t need it.” She spends as much time as she can with us, she is truly the loveliest person I have ever met. None of us could believe that we had met her- I think I’m probably going to be in shock about this for a long time. She truly loves her fans, and we of course, love her back.

Another Reason As To Why I Love Warpaint.

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THIS.

Everything about this performance shows exactly how a band should be. How a band should perform. The chemistry that these four wonderfully talented and gorgeous women have with each other is rare. Not many bands play with this much heart, soul and passion anymore. Listening to them inspires me. I don’t know what they inspire, but there’s something there.

Emily’s vocals go through you and cause your heart to beat double time. Theresa’s guitar playing leaves you wishing you could play the guitar like she does, sending you into some kind of trance. Jenny’s bass playing is so relaxed yet fucking powerful (I had to swear, I am not sorry) you lose yourself. Stella’s drumming makes you go sit with your mouth open and think “WHAT THE HELL.” It is out of this world. All together, these women leave you in awe. If you love them, you love them with all you have. There is no middle ground. You love everything they do. You realise that they have no bad song at all. You know that The Fool is THE album of the year. You know that this is the band for you. They are the band that own your heart.

I may sound like some dumb obsessive fan. So be it.